“Feeled like I was 13 years old”
“Crazy”, “frustrated”: Zverev’s favorite opponent dismantles Alcaraz
March 29, 2024, 6:25 a.m
Alexander Zverev’s semi-final opponent in Miami is not top star Carlos Alcaraz, but Grigor Dimitrow: The Bulgarian completely frustrates the favorite. This is good news for Zverev.
Olympic tennis champion Alexander Zverev surprisingly meets Grigor Dimitrow in the semi-finals of the ATP Masters in Miami. The Bulgarian (No. 11) defeated the top seeded Wimbledon winner Carlos Alcaraz in the quarterfinals 6:2, 6:4 and gave the Spaniard no chance in just 92 minutes of play. Zverev has won the last seven duels against the 32-year-old; Dimitrow only won the first duel between the two in 2014.
Alcaraz, who last overcame Zverev 6-3, 6-1 in the Indian Wells quarter-finals, said after his defeat “very frustrated because he made me feel like I was 13 years old. You know, it was crazy “, said the Spaniard: “He played very well. I didn’t find any solutions. His game was perfect.”
Zverev had previously beaten Hungary’s Fabian Marozsan 6:3, 7:5. “Fabian always challenges strong opponents, he’s an incredible player. That’s why I’m happy with how it went,” said Zverev. Maroszan defeated sixth-seeded Dane Holger Rune 6:1, 6:1 in the second round. “I love Miami, I’ve always said that,” said Zverev happily. “I’m happy to get this far in a tournament again and play against the best in the world. I’m looking forward to the next challenge.”
Australian Open winner Jannik Sinner (Italy/No. 2) and Daniil Medvedev (No. 4) will contest the second semi-final on Friday. Zverev reached the final in Miami in 2018, but narrowly lost to the US giant John Isner. In 2023, the top German player failed at his opening hurdle.